Let's play together!

First time playing this today since end of June. Think I've rekindled the love...

Microsoft gives away free digital copies of Halo Reach to those who had their disc copies become unplayable with the recent Reach update.

It only covers discs from the recent dashborad beta test and not regular or previous betas.

http://kotaku.com/5843476/dashboard-...ce-borked-disc

Nice call. Quasi-excited about the beta hopper coming up.

Halo 1's Prisoner is back:

http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/...litary_042.jpghttp://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/...olitary_03.jpghttp://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/...olitary_05.jpg

My new armor.

http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/Sc...59&size=medium
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/Sc...84&size=medium
http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/Sc...05&size=medium

Black is the new black.

Halo anniversary map pack arrives next week on the same date Halo Anniversary game gets released.

7 maps for the price of 1200 MS Points ($15)
* Battle Canyon
* Breakneck
* High Noon
* Penance
* Ridgeline
* Solitary
* Installation 04.

http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/...ing-next-week/

Yea and a side note is that if you are purchasing Halo Anniversary there will be a code inside that gives your the maps for Reach for free.

No, you see, part of CEA's package is those maps so you did pay for them.

Before I read everything in here (nice bump)...I'd like to know if buying this game now is worth the time and effort. I have never touched the Halo franchise. Was always involved with Quake, Nukem, Unreal and semi-involved with Half Life.

I've always seen Halo players characterized as frat-boys and have no reference to confirm or deny this.

Is this something I should try?

Totally. Great single player story/experience, and of course excellent multiplayer. All modes have a multiplayer version, except theater viewing. It looks and plays awesome.

The only nitpicks would be things a Halo fan would point out; uninspired multiplayer map design and making certain gameplay mechanics oddly realistic out of nowhere. But a new person may enjoy the game.

You can also check out Halo Anniversary, which tells the story that takes place right after Reach, though you'll have to play an archaic version of the gameplay.

Should I start with Anniversary so as not to be disappointed?

That's a good way to go. Anniversary also has multiplayer campaign, but the competitive multiplayer is essentially Reach multiplayer with Halo 1 maps. Something tells me you wouldn't care.

I'd think this would be a bigger deal but it seems there's some way to create your own challenges for your friends. Testing it out soon.